Santa Paula man sentenced to more than 34 years for shooting at police officers

A Santa Paula man was sentenced to 34 years and eight months in state prison for shooting at police officers in 2012, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said Thursday.

Severiano Arredondo, 23, of Santa Paula, was sentenced after being found guilty of two counts of assault with a firearm on a peace officer. A special allegation was also found true that Arredondo personally discharged the firearm.

On June 29, 2012, two Santa Paula police officers were patrolling in a marked car when they called out to Arredondo after seeing him illegally cross the street, authorities said. When Arredondo failed to respond, officers called out to him again, and he responded by pulling out a handgun and firing four shots at the officers, authorities said.

One of the officers dove out of the way into some nearby bushes, while the other one hid behind the patrol vehicle. One of the officers returned fire. The vehicle was struck by two bullets, authorities said. Police contacted backup officers and they eventually found Arredondo hiding in a nearby apartment complex.

The investigation was led by the Santa Paula Police Department, with assistance from the Ventura Police Department and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

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